Women's Basketball | 12/1/2021 1:56:00 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The women's basketball team will open Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play beginning Thursday at 6 PM with Wayne State. The Panthers will also play Saginaw Valley State on Saturday at 1 PM. The Panthers are looking to get into the win column for the first time this season and it will be no easy task as the Warriors are 4-1 and the Cardinals are 5-2.

Ajai Simmons is coming off her best scoring performance as a Panther with 21 points at Findlay in the overtime loss on Nov. 19. Simmons has been a welcome addition to the squad and went 8-of-14 from the floor including 5-of-9 from the arc against the Oilers. She is leading the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game.

The Panthers and Warriors have split their last four games dating back to Jan. 9, 2020. The last three meetings have been in Grand Rapids with the Panthers winning two of those games. DU won 60-58 in the last outing on Jan. 16, 2021. There were seven lead changes and ties as DU shot 83.3 percent (15-of-18) at the free throw line. Toni Grace scored 20 points and connected on four three's. Grace George led the Warriors with 19 points.

The Panthers have dropped their last five contests against the Cardinals and failed to break 50 points in both games last season in Grand Rapids in late February. SVSU won 56-49 in the last meeting on Feb. 27, 2021. Tori DePerry led the Cardinals with 19 points off the bench. Courtney McInerney led the Panthers with 10 points. Toni Grace added nine points and five boards.

LIVE COVERAGE
Thursday, Dec. 2 - 6:00 PM - Live Stats - Live Video
Saturday, Dec. 4 - 1:00 PM - Live Stats - Live Video